Guests:

- Darcy Sordo, Head of Partnerships at Sonic

- Andy P. Lee, Executive Producer at Legend of Arcadia

- Jon Hook, Co-Founder of PlayEmber

Top 3 Key Takeaways from Our Guests

1. Optimizing CPI, Retention, and Monetization is crucial for a game's success.

The guests started by sharing that game developers prioritize ensuring that the Cost per Install (CPI) is lower than the revenue generated per user, allowing the game to scale effectively; this was explicitly important to the Playember team. They continuously test and optimize CPI, retention, and engagement to achieve long-term success. High retention (how often players return) and extended playtime are essential metrics, with developers using data to identify and fix drop-off points. 

2. Platforms like Google Play and Apple Store are becoming more open to Web3 games. 

The conversation was about different gaming platforms. The guests agreed that platforms like Google Play are becoming more open to Web3 games, allowing integrations like play-to-earn mechanics (e.g., rewarding players with Satoshis). Apple is slower and more restrictive but shows signs of loosening its stance. On the other hand, Steam remains resistant to Web3 games. Despite this, developers see new distribution opportunities, including cloud gaming and decentralized networks.


3. Casual and collection-based games are highly effective.

Finally, given the background of two of the projects on the panel, the guests shared with the listeners that simple and highly collectible games, like "Hyper Cards," perform exceptionally well, especially with Web3 users. These games tap into a natural human desire to complete collections, driving repeat play and increased spending. Players are more likely to return to complete their sets of items or cards, making the collection mechanism a robust engagement tool.